{{Short description|Welsh politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Natasha Asghar | honorific_suffix = [[Member of the Senedd|MS]] | birth_name = Natasha Asghar | birth_date = 20 October{{cn|date=May 2026}} | birth_place = [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], Wales | office = Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Children, Young People and Education{{efn|As just Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education 12 December 2024 - 23 July 2025}} | leader = [[Darren Millar]] | term_start = 12 December 2024 | term_end = 20 January 2026 | predecessor = [[Tom Giffard]] | successor = [[Helen Jenner]] (Education)<br/>[[Sarah Cooper-Lesadd]] (Children and Young People) | office2 = Shadow Minister for Transport | leader2 = [[Andrew RT Davies]] | predecessor2 = [[Russell George (Welsh politician)|Russell George]] | successor2 = [[Peter Fox (Welsh politician)|Peter Fox]] | term_start2 = 27 May 2021 | term_end2 = 5 December 2024 | office3 = [[Member of the Senedd]]<br/> for [[Casnewydd Islwyn]] | term_start3 = 8 May 2026 | office4 = [[Member of the Senedd]] <br /> for [[South Wales East (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales East]] | term_start4 = 8 May 2021 | term_end4 = 7 May 2026 | party = [[Welsh Conservatives]] | occupation = {{flatlist| * Politician * presenter * banker}} | relatives = [[Mohammad Asghar]] (father) | education = [[Rougemont School]] | alma_mater = [[Goldsmiths, University of London]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of London]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]]) | other_party = [[Plaid Cymru]] (until 2009) | image = Natasha Asghar official photo 2026.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2026 }}
'''Natasha Asghar''' is a [[Welsh Conservative Party]] politician who has served as [[Member of the Senedd]] for the [[Casnewydd Islwyn]] constituency since May 2026.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Mosalski |first=Ruth |date=2026-05-08 |title=Casnewydd Islwyn election results in full |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/casnewydd-islwyn-election-results-full-33888851 |work=[[Wales Online]]}}</ref> She previously represented the [[South Wales East (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales East region]] from 2021 to 2026. She has held a number of Shadow Cabinet roles, including Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education from December 2024 to January 2026. Her father [[Mohammad Asghar]] had represented the same region until his death in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2020|title=Natasha Asghar to stand for Welsh Conservatives in Senedd Elections|url=https://caerphilly.observer/news/998266/daughter-of-late-senedd-member-mohammad-asghar-to-stand-in-election/|access-date=8 May 2021|website=Caerphilly Observer}}</ref> She is the first female ethnic-minority member of the Senedd.
== Early life == Asghar was born and raised in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2025 |title=The Regional View from the Senedd with Natasha Asghar |url=https://www.abergavennychronicle.com/opinion/the-regional-view-from-the-senedd-with-natasha-asghar-778687 |website=Abergavenny Chronicle}}</ref> She is the daughter of the late Conservative assembly member [[Mohammad Asghar]]. Asghar was privately educated at [[Rougemont School]] in [[Llantarnam]], she went on to hold a BA in Politics and Social Policy and a Masters in Contemporary British Policy and Media from the [[University of London]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asghar |first=Natasha |title=LinkedIn Page with Educational and Professional background |url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/natasha-asghar-032a5a5 |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=LinkedIn Page}}</ref><ref name="natashaasghar.wales">{{Cite web |title=About Natasha Asghar/Mwy am Natasha Asghar |url=https://www.natashaasghar.wales/about-natasha-asgharmwy-am-natasha-asghar |access-date=2021-11-11 |website=Natasha Asghar MS |language=en}}</ref>
== Political career == Asghar stood as a [[Plaid Cymru]] candidate in the [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election]] in [[Blaenau Gwent (Assembly constituency)|Blaenau Gwent]]<ref name="Natasha Asghar">{{Cite web |title=Young Candidates |url=http://www.youngwales.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=462;lID=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070722202032/http://www.youngwales.plaidcymru.org/content.php?nID=462;lID=1 |archive-date=2007-07-22 |website=youngwales.plaidcymru.org}}</ref> and on the Plaid list for the [[Wales (European Parliament constituency)|Wales constituency]] in the [[2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2009 European elections]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Electoral Office of Wales |url=http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/objview.asp?Language=&object_id=4461 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070802/http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/objview.asp?Language=&object_id=4461 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=27 February 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
She joined the Conservative Party in December 2009 at the same time as her father, [[Mohammad Asghar]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-12-08 |title=Plaid AM defects to Conservatives |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/wales_politics/8401427.stm |access-date=2024-08-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Conservative Party | People | Welsh Assembly Members | Mohammad Asghar AM |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Welsh_Assembly_Members/Asghar_Mohammad.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020025141/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Welsh_Assembly_Members/Asghar_Mohammad.aspx |archive-date=20 October 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> She said "For me, family is everything. I believe in my father. Wherever he goes I will follow."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-12-09 |title=Why I'm quitting Plaid for the Tories |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4784539.why-im-quitting-plaid-for-the-tories/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref> At the time of Mohammad Asghar's defection, it was alleged that he left in part due to the party barring him from hiring her.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shipton |first=Martin |date=2009-12-10 |title=Plaid AM Mohammad Asghar defected to Tories after being told he could not employ his daughter as press officer |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-am-mohammad-asghar-defected-2064580 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Shipton |first=Martin |date=2010-01-26 |title=Daughter of AM who left Plaid to join the Tories is now on his staff |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/daughter-am-who-left-plaid-1941666 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable for a claim of this size ([[WP:NOTRS]]). Shipton has proven to be somewhat gullible (https://nation.cymru/news/plan-to-keep-gething-in-office-with-vote-of-sex-pest-senedd-member/) and I cannot find any other source reporting this.|date=August 2024}} She was hired as a member of his support staff in the Senedd in 2010.<ref name=":2" />
She unsuccessfully contested [[Torfaen (Senedd constituency)|Torfaen]] at the [[2011 National Assembly for Wales election]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC News - Election 2011 - Wales - Torfaen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/26700.stm|access-date=2021-12-03|website=BBC News|language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[Newport East (UK Parliament constituency)|Newport East]] at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]] and [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]] UK Parliament elections as a Conservative.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Natasha Asghar - Candidate for South Wales East in Senedd Cymru elections (Regions)|url=https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/person/5946/natasha-asghar|access-date=9 May 2021|website=Democracy Club Candidates}}</ref>
On 22 May 2023, Asghar announced that she would be standing for the Conservative Party's nomination for [[Mayor of London]] ahead of the [[2024 London mayoral election]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite tweet |number=1660686909343973381 |user=nasghar |title=🚨 I've applied to become the @Conservatives Mayor of #London candidate. 🥀 For 2 years I have been fighting against Labour's policies in Wales - and now it's time to take the fight to London. 👇 It's time for change and I know I can be the breath of fresh air Londoners need. |access-date=2023-05-22 |language=en |website=Twitter}}</ref> She announced her decision via a video on [[Twitter]]. She had previously been a London resident for 20 years before moving to Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-22 |title=Prominent Welsh Tory announces bid to become the Mayor of London |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23539850.natasha-asghar-bid-become-mayor-london/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref> On 12 June it was announced that her bid to become a potential candidate for the London mayoralty had failed when her name did not appear on the party's shortlist of three.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-12 |title=London mayor: Welsh Conservative Natasha Asghar's bid fails |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-65878047 |access-date=2024-08-12 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Senedd === She was elected to the Senedd at the [[2021 Senedd election]] to represent [[South Wales East (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales East]]. She became the first female ethnic minority candidate to be elected as an MS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2021 |title=Natasha Asghar becomes first female Senedd member from a BAME background |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-05-08/natasha-asghar-becomes-first-female-senedd-member-from-a-black-or-asian-minority-background |access-date=8 May 2021 |website=ITV News}}</ref> Shortly after she was appointed Shadow Minister for Transport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |first=Cathy |date=2021-05-27 |title=Tory MSs who drank in Senedd during alcohol ban get top roles |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/boozy-mss-who-drank-senedd-20689220 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref> As Shadow Transport Minister, she supported the creation of an All Wales Travel Card similar to the [[Oyster card]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asghar welcomes positive response to her calls for an All-Wales Travel Card |url=https://www.natashaasghar.wales/news/asghar-welcomes-positive-response-her-calls-all-wales-travel-card |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111102333/https://www.natashaasghar.wales/news/asghar-welcomes-positive-response-her-calls-all-wales-travel-card |archive-date=2021-11-11 |website=Natasha Asghar MS |language=en}}</ref> She also led the Welsh Conservative's approach to criticising the [[Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022|reduction of 30 miles per hour speed limit zones to 20 mph]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-20 |title=20mph: Transport minister accuses Tory of encouraging hate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-68620415 |access-date=2024-08-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In May 2024, the Senedd Standards Commissioner announced she was being investigated over her description of the Welsh Government's new 20 mph default limit policy as "blanket". In September 2024, the Commissioner reported that this was a breach of the Senedd's code of conduct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Emily |date=2024-05-22 |title=Second Tory MS under investigation by Senedd Standards Commissioner |url=https://nation.cymru/news/second-tory-ms-under-investigation-by-senedd-standards-commissioner/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Emily |date=2024-09-18 |title=Natasha Asghar breached code of conduct with 'blanket' description of 20mph speed limit |url=https://nation.cymru/news/natasha-asghar-breached-code-of-conduct-with-blanket-description-of-20mph-speed-limit/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2024 |title=Standards of Conduct Committee - Fourteenth report to the Sixth Senedd under Standing Order 22.9 |url=https://senedd.wales/media/lvlnsj2g/cr-ld16666-e.pdf |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=senedd.wales |format=PDF}}</ref> Asghar stated she would "make absolutely no apology" for her description of the policy.<ref name=":3" /> On 25 September, Asghar was formally reprimanded by the Senedd authorities for calling Wales' 20 mph speed limit a "blanket" policy on social media, while signing off a report advising her party to refrain from using the term.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2024 |title=Senedd member told off for calling 20mph a 'blanket' limit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c206x9wldvzo |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> In October 2024, she posted images of herself attending a protest against the 20 mph policy on the steps of the Senedd, which involved heavy use of blankets, and allegedly strangled an [[effigy]] of [[Lee Waters]], the Minister behind the policy.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Emily |date=2024-11-19 |title=Natasha Asghar poses with 'blanket' and effigy of Lee Waters following censure |url=https://nation.cymru/news/natasha-asghar-poses-with-blanket-and-effigy-of-lee-waters-following-censure/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=[[Nation.Cymru]]}}</ref> When asked if this was a protest against her censure, she said "I'm hoping now we're in winter, blankets will be a regular feature at these important gatherings."<ref name=":4" />
After [[Andrew RT Davies]] resigned as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and was replaced by [[Darren Millar]], Asghar was reshuffled to the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-12 |title=New Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar MS announces shadow cabinet |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212171525/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet |archive-date=2024-12-12 |access-date=2024-12-16 |work=ITV News}}</ref> Her portfolio was expanded to include responsibility for children and young people in July 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Emily |date=2025-07-23 |title=Welsh Tories reshuffle after MS jumps ship to Reform UK |url=https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-tories-reshuffle-after-ms-jumps-ship-to-reform-uk/ |access-date=2025-07-23 |work=Nation.Cymru}}</ref>
In the [[2026 Senedd election]], Asghar was elected as the sixth and final candidate on the list in the [[Casnewydd Islwyn]] constituency, with the Welsh Conservatives receiving 11% of the vote.<ref name=":5" />
== Recognition == In May 2021, Asghar was highlighted as one of [[British Vogue]]'s "5 Forces For Change".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukhtar |first=Amel |date=30 May 2021 |title=5 Forces For Change That Made Waves In May |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/gallery/forces-for-change-may-2021 |access-date=11 November 2021 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB}}</ref> She was named as one of the [[100 Women (BBC)|BBC's 100 Women]] in December 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2021-12-07 |title=BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59514598 |access-date=2021-12-07 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2024 Asghar was awarded the Devolved Politician of the Year Award at the House of Commons for her work in relation to the 20 mph campaign in Wales<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-03-10|title=Natasha Asghar wins politician award for fighting 20mph|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24171104.natasha-asghar-wins-politician-award-fighting-20mph/|access-date=2023-03-10 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref> and in 2025 she was awarded the Iron Lady Award in the House of Lords for her contribution in politics.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-04-29|title=Natasha Asghar named Iron Lady of 2025 in London ceremony|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25122733.natasha-asghar-named-iron-lady-2025-london-ceremony/|access-date=2023-04-29 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref>
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Current MSs|state=collapsed}} {{Welsh MSs 2021–2026|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asghar, Natasha}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Conservative Party members of the Senedd]] [[Category:Welsh people of Pakistani descent]] [[Category:Wales MSs 2021–2026]] [[Category:Wales MSs 2026–2031]] [[Category:Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary candidates]] [[Category:Female members of the Senedd]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]